Indie Music Hero John Peel Feted at Funeral

11/12/2004 10:30 AM, Reuters


Hundreds of fans joined friends and family on Friday for the funeral service of John Peel, the legendary disc jockey credited with transforming Britain's popular music scene.

Peel, a maverick who championed new trends like punk, reggae and hip-hop, died of a heart attack while on holiday in Peru two weeks ago. He was 65.

News of his death met dismay across the British music world, with tributes flooding in from the likes of Oasis, Blur, Rod Stewart , and Elton John , while even Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was "genuinely saddened" by Peel's death.

Some 1,000 people crammed St Edmundsbury Cathedral, in Bury St Edmunds, eastern England, where Peel's coffin arrived to applause from the gathered crowd.

Among mourners were broadcaster Annie Nightingale and singer Jarvis Cocker, of the band Pulp. Long-time fellow presenter Paul Gambaccini delivered a eulogy.

"You broke more artists then any broadcaster in the history of radio. Every artist once needed a John Peel -- some of the people who paid tributes to you were Pink Floyd, Robert Plant , Led Zeppelin and Elton John," Gambaccini said.

A family statement released by Peel's wife Sheila and four grown-up children spoke of tributes sent from around the world.

"John was loved by so many for a multitude of reasons. To us he was a loving husband, father and above all friend. We are going to miss him terribly."

Peel won a legion of followers over four decades with his rejection of mainstream music in favor of more offbeat and experimental acts, helping many young bands in the process.

His laid-back delivery, affectionately mimicked by listeners down the years, disguised a passion for unearthing alternative sounds typically missed or ignored by music industry moguls.

Jenny Abramsky, Director, BBC Radio & Music, paid tribute on behalf of Peel's colleagues.

"John Peel was simply the most influential music broadcaster in the UK. His support for young musicians was unique. For generations he defined Radio 1.

"He never lost his enthusiasm or his curiosity. His generosity to so many young producers and performers was matched by his generosity to his listeners."

Feargal Sharkey, former lead singer of Northern Irish band The Undertones and who attended the funeral, has praised Peel as the "single most important broadcaster we have ever known."

He has said his life "changed forever" the day Peel played his band's 1977 song "Teenage Kicks," a Peel favorite played at Friday's service.